By comparison with the Beltway, politics here is a lovefest. When the Madbury Community Club held a Candidates Forum on Feb. 28, the two candidates for the open position of selectman were in agreement in all areas.

They want for Madbury to remain rural and to balance its wants and its needs. Julie McCabe and Bob Sterndale answered questions from the couple dozen voters who attended and who had the opportunity to speak individually with the candidates during the social hour that followed the presentations.

There are no other contests for town offices. However, since there is a need for two auditors and only incumbent, Susan Cilia, filed, Debbie Zarembo announced at the forum that she will be a write-in candidate.

Town Meeting is Tuesday (March 12) with voting on ballot issues from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and discussion and voting on the warrant other warrant articles to begin at 7 p.m.

On the ballot, besides the election of officers, there will be an amendment to the zoning ordinances proposed by the Planning Board. It would allow assisted living, nursing and hospice facilities to exist along Routes 155, 108, and 9, following site plan approval by the Planning Board. The full wording of the proposal is available at the Town Hall and at the library, and will be available at the voting booths.

Voting for Oyster River Cooperative School District board members and the budget for 2014 will also take place at the same hours at Town Hall.

TOWN HALL NOTES

On March 1 the selectmen met again with Colin Kelly and Keri Fitzgerald of Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc.

Kelly and Fitzgerald had met with the selectmen in February when they reported that Schnitzer might be thinking of setting up a “Pull and Pick” aspect to the recycling facility on Route 155. This feature of the business would allow customers to salvage parts from used vehicles before they were crushed. The selectmen had told Kelly and Fitzgerald that they would research the zoning ordinances to ascertain whether such a change in use could be considered by the Planning Board.

On March 1, the selectmen reported that the present facility is in the Aquifer and Wellhead Overlay District where junkyards are prohibited and that another section of the zoning ordinances prohibits junkyards anywhere in town unless allowed by the selectmen.

“Any proposed change would have to go to the Planning Board, regardless,” Selectman Bruce Hodsdon pointed out. The visitors left with a copy of the local zoning ordinances in hand.

On March 4, the selectmen discussed with an abutter to the former Elliott Rose industry his contention that the property has been left a mess that needs attention. The selectmen offered to host a meeting at which both parties could be heard.

HAM AND BEANS

It’s time for another Saturday Night Ham and Bean Supper. The Madbury Church will be serving from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Town Hall, on March 16. Several varities of beans and even more of a variety of homemade pies are on the menu. Then there is lavish salad bar as well as potato and jellied salads and a variety of breads and beverages.

All that for $8 for adults; $4, children; and $20 for a family.

BASKET RAFFLE

The themed baskets being raffled to benefit the library will be at the Town Hall on Tuesday, Town Meeting Day, making it easy to get tickets. The winners will be selected during the social hour following the Town Meeting. The tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. There are 8 baskets, with contents ranging from home-baked food to movies to socks.